University of California-Los Angeles vs University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
University of California-Los Angeles and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are closely matched on financial return. University of California-Los Angeles scores 96/100 while University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill scores 94/100 - a gap small enough that individual circumstances (major choice, financial aid package, in-state vs out-of-state status) will likely matter more than the overall score difference.
On cost, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill comes in at $11,655 per year (net price after aid) versus $12,548 at University of California-Los Angeles - a difference of $893 annually, or roughly $3,572 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of California-Los Angeles graduates earn a median of $82,511 compared to $72,200 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The payback period is 4 years at University of California-Los Angeles versus 5 years at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Graduates leave University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a median $14,000 in debt versus $14,000 at University of California-Los Angeles. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.27 and 0.28 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of California-... | University of North Carol... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $15,203 | $8,994 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $49,403 | $41,203 |
| Net Price (avg) | $12,548 | $11,655 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $50,192 | $46,620 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $52,000 | $49,900 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $82,511 | $72,200 |
| Graduation Rate | 92.6% | 91.2% |
| Payback Period | 4 yr | 5 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $14,000 | $14,000 |
| Monthly Payment | $148 | $148 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.27 | 0.28 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 83.2% | 85.4% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 80.9% | 85.3% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 9.0% | 15.3% |
| Enrollment | 33,475 | 20,752 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Califo... | University of North ... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $5,579 | $2,004 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $6,682 | $3,918 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $9,811 | $8,538 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $14,142 | $16,415 |
| $110,001+ | $29,682 | $24,396 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Califo... | University of North ... |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Mathematics | $103,887 | $119,839 |
| Registered Nursing | $118,566 | $78,585 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $116,525 | $97,992 |
| Economics | $95,440 | $103,846 |
| Physics | $85,708 | $103,477 |
| Mathematics | $99,269 | $101,599 |
| Natural Resources Conservation | $75,927 | $65,337 |
| International Relations | $74,202 | $72,001 |
| Chemistry | $72,220 | $64,981 |
| Philosophy | $61,754 | $70,709 |
| Geography and Cartography | $67,193 | $49,476 |
| Area Studies | $51,755 | $65,933 |
| Sociology | $64,692 | $51,801 |
| Romance Languages | $55,946 | $64,570 |
| Linguistic and Comparative Language Studies | $62,927 | $54,181 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Califo... | University of North ... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 98 | 96 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 98 | 93 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 96 | 95 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 97 | 97 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 80 | 87 |
| Overall ROI Score | 96 | 94 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. University of California-Los Angeles edges out University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill by 2 points (96 vs 94), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
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University of California-Los Angeles
Exceptional Value - Full profile and breakdown
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Exceptional Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.